Truck Accident Compensation
You may be contact by the insurance company of the driver or the company if you're the victim of a crash involving a truck. It is best to avoid speaking with those individuals unless you have an attorney present.
You must prove that the truck driver or company did not meet their duty of care, and that the breach led to your accident. The types of damages you could pursue include:
Medical expenses
The injuries that result from a truck accident often require extensive medical treatment. This can result in costly hospital bills and prescription costs. Many victims struggle to pay these costs and remain in debt long after the accident occurs. Fortunately, injured victims of crashes are able to recuperate a variety of damages, including medical expenses.
Medical expenses are any out-of-pocket expenses that are related to an injury. These expenses can include X-rays, MRIs and CT scans, as also doctor's visits as well as physical therapy sessions. The cost of crutches and wheel chairs can also be a part of out-of-pocket expenses. It is essential to keep track of the medical expenses of all patients and keep receipts. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine which expenses are eligible for compensation.
In general, the driver of the truck at fault or their insurance company should be responsible for medical expenses. They will not cover your medical expenses until you have resolved your case, or the jury has awarded you compensation after an appeal. This could take a long time, and in the meantime, you will have to pay for your medical expenses out of your own pocket.
Insurance companies exist to save money and will employ any method in the book in order to lower their payouts. They may seem nice and helpful, however anything you say to them could be used against you later. Always consult a lawyer with experience before speaking with any representatives from insurance companies.
Your lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and fight for your right to full compensation. In certain situations it is possible to consult a medical expert or other professional to demonstrate the severity of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
Suffering and pain
A semi-truck collision can cause serious injuries. These injuries could be life-changing and cause suffering and pain for a long time.
Because truck accidents are devastating, they are more emotionally devastating than crashes that involve smaller vehicles. They also have greater consequences for the victim as well as their family, including lost income. If you've suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident with a truck, you can sue for damages to cover your physical pain and suffering.
The amount you may be entitled to in this section of your claim can vary. This is due to the fact that it's rarely feasible to accurately determine the extent of your suffering and pain. There are guidelines that judges or jury can use to determine the value of your injury. These include medical records, evidence of mental health treatment, diaries or other records of your day-to-day activities and statements from family members or acquaintances about how the injury has affected them.
Injuries such as a broken spine or spinal cord damage can result in life-threatening pain and loss of mobility. These types of injuries are generally life-threatening and require surgical repair as well as ongoing treatment. They can also cause physical and psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, or fear, anger, shock, insomnia or post-traumatic disorder (PTSD).
If the fault of the responsible party caused the accident, they should be held accountable for the damages that you've sustained. This is true, even if the party at fault was not driving at the time that the accident took place. For instance when the driver was intoxicated or violated trucking or traffic laws. They could also be held responsible for punitive damages.
Loss of wages
If your injuries stop you from working for a prolonged period, you may be entitled to recover lost wages. This compensation is calculated based on the amount of money you would have received had not been absent from work due to your injuries from accidents. It doesn't matter if took sick days or vacation time. You must provide proof to the insurance adjuster of your earnings and losses. This is done by obtaining a written document from your doctor which outlines your medical condition and the length of time you'll miss from work, and your previous pay stubs.
It is important to understand that you may also be able to seek damages for loss of enjoyment and quality of life. This category of compensation is for injuries that stop you from engaging in your favorite pastimes and activities, such as traveling or engaging in hobbies. You can even recover lost income in the future if your injuries have permanently prevented you from returning to the same type of job in the future.
While non-economic damage is less tangible than lost wages and other financial losses, they can be substantial. Examples include pain and discomfort, scarring or disfigurement and loss of enjoyment in life. These types of damages can be significant for those who sustained serious injuries from a car crash, especially when the injuries involve internal organs. In extreme circumstances it is possible to seek punitive damages. These are intended to punish the person who is at fault and stop them from repeating the same reckless behavior in the future. These are not common however, they can be awarded in the event that the truck driver was negligent or reckless.
sandy truck accident law firm could be eligible for compensation for loss of wages if your injuries prevent you from working in the same capacity. Many truck accident victims are concerned about this because they may not be able to cover their expenses without the income they received from their jobs. Additionally, your medical bills can mount up quickly. To ensure that you get the most compensation for your losses, it is essential to hire an experienced attorney who has handled truck accidents.
If the negligence of the truck driver or the trucking company resulted in the injuries you suffered, you could be entitled to punitive damages in addition to the compensatory damages discussed in the previous paragraphs. This is not a simple claim. The law on punitive damages is extremely strict. To be eligible for this kind of monetary award, the plaintiff must prove that the trucking company or its driver was guilty of fraud, malice, or willful wrongdoing.
Generally juries decide to award punitive damages in an effort to punish those who have committed wrong and convey a message that this kind of behavior is not acceptable. For instance, if a jury finds that the truck driver was operating their truck under the influence of intoxicating drugs or speeding up, the hope is that the substantial punishment will deter others from engaging in this egregious conduct in the future.
It is important to note that you must show the negligence was not one incident, but rather an ongoing pattern of conduct or reckless indifference. This is why a lot of truck accident lawyers aren't comfortable bringing a punitive damage claim solely based on boilerplate accusations of reckless behavior. In a recent instance, for instance the court ruled against the punitive damages claim made against Garkusha who was driving a truck owned by Quality Logistics at the time of his collision with the Plaintiff, based on the fact that the Plaintiff did not present any evidence that Garkusha's behavior right before and during the incident showed a pattern or reckless indifference to the consequences.
Damages to property caused by property
Due to their huge size and weight semi-trucks and commercial trucks and other large vehicles can cause more severe damage when they crash into smaller vehicles. As a result, victims of semi-truck crashes may be more severely injured and incur higher medical expenses than victims in other vehicle accidents.
To maximize the value of your claim it is essential to keep a detailed record of all incident-related expenses and losses. Record every expense, for example, in the event that your injuries were triggered by a collision with a truck, and you require multiple surgeries or outpatient treatments, physical therapy and prescription medication. Also in the event that your injuries have caused you to miss work, note your lost wages and future earning potential.
It is also important to record all property damage. If your vehicle is total loss or requires significant repairs, note the current value of the vehicle along with any other personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed during the accident. This includes furniture, electronics clothes and other valuables. You should also keep track of any expenses related to renting a vehicle or traveling to doctor's appointments.
Insurance companies often reach out to victims of accidents immediately following the accident to offer settlements prior to the victim has an opportunity to consult with a lawyer. While these offers may seem attractive, they often do not compensate victims for all of their costs related to the accident. A skilled attorney will help you avoid accepting a low settlement offer and ensure that the responsible party pays the full value of your claim.
Your lawyer will collect and review all documentation before making them available to the insurance company of the liable party as part your claim. They will also negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive damages that reflect the actual worth of your losses.